New trustees for Saint Michaels’s board

Seven new trustees have been voted onto the board of Saint Michael’s Hospice.

The newcomers bring a wealth of experience in different fields including media, medicine, law, business and nursing and will further strengthen governance at the charity as Saint Michael’s moves towards the next stage of its strategic development.

Dr John Hain, GP Partner Nidderdale Group Practice; Jean MacQuarrie, Editor of the Ackrill Media Group; Mark Robinson, Managing Director of Meridian Motor Group Ltd; Liz Simmons, District Nursing Sister; Rebecca Tomlinson, Events Fundraiser for Sparks; Colin Tweedie, Principal at business development specialists CJT Consulting, and Karen Wheeldon, Saint Michael’s volunteer, were selected from more than 30 applicants and will now join 13 existing trustees on the board.

Chair of trustees, Leslie Bers, said:

We’re delighted to welcome such experienced and well-respected new trustees to the board at Saint Michael’s.

We have enjoyed much success over the past four years, particularly with regards the implementation of our strategy to double the number of people we are able to care for.

We’re now entering the next important phase of development for Saint Michael’s, and the new trustees will play a significant role in helping to ensure its smooth transition.

Last week Saint Michael’s unveiled its vision for the future which includes more support for people living in their own homes, plans for a new inpatient unit and enhanced outpatient and education facilities.

The board of trustees at Saint Michael’s play a key role in the governance of the charity that seeks to improve the lives of people with terminal illness.

They must satisfy themselves that the appropriate strategic planning and policy development processes are in place to achieve the charity’s strategy within the parameters of an agreed budget.

They are also responsible for the appointment of the chief executive, to whom they delegate the day-to-day management of the charity.

Each member donates their expertise and time free of charge to help Saint Michael’s succeed in its mission, as set out in the Hospice philosophy.

Trustees will attend six board meetings each year in Harrogate and an annual away day and also be expected to serve on one of the sub-groups, which meet a maximum of six times per year.